SRV Track Siblings Putting Together Record-Breaking Seasons

After qualifying for the California State Track and Field Championships the past two years, San Ramon Valley High junior Sarah Griffith proved to be one of Danville's most accomplished athletes. 

But in track circles, she was still known as Kevin Griffith's younger sister.

Breaking out of her brother's shadow was admittedly a tough task, but seeing his myriads of success — including a seventh-place finish in the 800 meter run at last year's State Championships — helped fuel her preparation for this year.

"I've always had my own drive," Griffith said. "But seeing him do so well made me want it even more."

The sprinter began a high-intensity training regiment  in November, which jump-started what has turned into one of the most impressive seasons in school history. She won a family competition by becoming the first of the siblings to set a school record with a 56.32 in the 400 meter dash. SRV girls records

"I finally broke out of Kevin's shadow a little bit," Sarah said. "Before, I was just known as K.G.'s sister, but then I got a record first."

Both Griffiths are almost ruthlessly competitive, especially with each other, but Kevin had to give it up for his sister.

"I'm very proud of her and everything she's accomplished … even if she did get a record before me," he said. "It's OK though, because I've got more than her now."

After seeing his sister break the 10-year-old mark in the 400, Kevin responded by breaking Dave Anderson's 1964 record in the 800 by over a second in 1:52.07 and Scott Baugh's 2004 mark in the 1,600 with a 4:15.53. SRV boys records

The siblings both are part school-record teams in the 1600 relays.

Headed into tomorrow's North Coast Section Meet of Champions at U.C. Berkeley, they'll both attempt to qualify for their third trips to the State Championships.

Kevin will go in with the No. 1 time in the section in the 800 — his record time ranks third in the state and ninth nationally — along with the third-best time in the 1600 and as the anchor of the section's top-ranked 1600 relay team.

Sarah won the 200 and 400 races at the East Bay Athletic League Championships and finished second at last week's NCS Tri-Valley meet in the 400.

For their father, Doug Griffith, who described himself as an adequate runner in his days at San Jose's Bellarmine High, seeing his children excel at such a high level has been a great experience.

"It's very exciting and nerve-racking," he said. "I'm incredibly proud because I know how much effort goes into what they are doing."

Both student-athletes have had similar levels of success in the classroom, where Sarah carries a 4.0 grade point average and Kevin a 3.85. Although, Kevin admitted, despite taking many of the same classes, he's been fortunate enough to end up with lighter work loads.

After graduation in a few weeks, Kevin prepare to attend U.C. Davis, where he has a track scholarship waiting. He considered Washington, UCLA and Stanford, but felt Davis and its track program were a better fit. 

"It's a great place to run and a more low-stress environment than being in the Pac-10," said Griffith, who'll major in material science engineering. "It's close to home, the weather is good and I really like the team and coaches."

Also an Eagle scout, Griffith was recently named the San Ramon Valley male Athlete of the Year.

Sarah recently began receiving recruiting mail — Yale being the first — and it wouldn't be a shock if she ends up at Davis as a teammate of her brother, shadow or no shadow, in two years.

If both are fortunate enough to qualify for the State Championships in Clovis on June 4-5, they'll go with high hopes.

"I'll be happy if I win NCS in the 800, get a 1:51 and make the podium at state," Kevin said. "Preferably top-three."

For Sarah, just getting to state for the third-straight year is priority No. 1. It'll keep alive her dream of becoming the first runner in school history to make the state meet four times. 

It would also be a Griffith family record, which might mean just as much.

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